Texas A&M Forest Service A descriptive text equivalent is provided for images and other non text elements aiding users who listen to the content of the site by using a screen reader rather than reading the site We are continually in the process of making sure that major reports and other publications that are on the Web Site are generally available in HTML or other accessible format When publishing a document in Adobe Portable Document Format PDF our goal is to also provide an accessible alternative TFS is committed to making its Web Site accessible according to the standards set forth by the World Wide Web Consortium W3C To improve the accessibility of our Web Site we perform site validation testing with test tools such as Bobby and CSE HTML Validator and it is our goal to achieve the highest level of accessibility possible TFS welcomes comments on how to improve the site s accessibility for users with disabilities If you use assistive technology and the format of any material on our Web Site interferes with your ability to access the information please contact the TFS Webmaster To enable us to respond in a manner most helpful to you please indicate the nature of

Texas A&M Forest Service and forest resources Services provided by the Texas Forest Service Promotes sustainable forestry practices and wise use of forest resources Provides reforestation forest management and timber stand improvement assistance Prevents and suppresses wildfires in rural and urban wildland interface areas Provides disaster assistance in emergency situations Provides leadership and technical assistance for federal and private cost share reforestation programs Promotes urban forestry in cities and towns through technical assistance Promotes local capacity building within volunteer fire departments through training equipment and empowerment Works closely with the Texas Urban Forestry Council and its network of affiliated regional urban forestry councils to promote the planting and caring of trees in urban areas Provides forest disease and pest control support and technical assistance for oak wilt southern pine beetle and other forest pests and diseases Grows tree seedlings for tree improvement snow fences wildlife habitat etc Promotes best management practices to improve water and environmental quality Trains loggers landowners and forestry professionals in matters of forest resources Texas Forest Service Customer Service Principles The Texas Forest Service will provide prompt high quality professional service to the citizens of the state and therefore will Conduct the activities of the TFS in a legal open honest professional courteous efficient and timely manner Perform the mission of the TFS with the best interests of the public in mind Provide an internet site address with information on agency services Return telephone calls as soon as possible Respond to requests for written information as soon as possible Immediately route information requests to the appropriate agency even if the request does not relate to the TFS Be on time for appointments or provide reasonable advance notice of the need to change an appointment Provide publications pamphlets and presentations on agency activities Provide information releases when appropriate Maintain a conscientious

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Texas A&M Forest Service currency or suitability of the information provided via this Web Site TFS specifically disclaims any and all liability for any claims or damages that may result from TFS providing the Web Site or the information it contains including any Web Sites maintained by third parties that link to the TFS site or that the TFS site links to TFS makes no effort to independently verify and does not exert editorial

Texas A&M Forest Service percent of all wildfires in the state Careless debris burning of household trash brush and leaf piles garden spots etc results in the largest number of human caused wildfires Other significant wildfire causes include sparks from welding and grinding equipment carelessly discarded smoking materials hot vehicle pollution control equipment and arson Texas Forest Service assigns a high priority to year round wildfire prevention activities that reduce risks to citizens and property Because wildfires in Texas primarily result from the actions of people wildfire prevention campaigns targeting people caused wildfires can significantly reduce the number of wildfires and wildfire losses A three step approach to fire prevention can focus prevention efforts Texas Forest Service prevention specialists use radio TV print and web based products along with local outreach programs to increase wildfire awareness and deliver fire safety messages keyed to local fire causes Local involvement when designing and delivering these programs is essential Texas Forest Service also works with local and county officials to keep them informed of fire danger and the likelihood of large damaging wildfires The Texas Forest Service bases its fire prevention efforts on local assessments and analysis of fire risks and works to implement prevention campaigns prior to specific weather related events or a developing fire season Unsafe Debris Burning A Special Concern Texas Forest Service focuses special attention on reducing unsafe debris burning Firefighters across the state cite inadequate fire breaks and failure to stay with outdoor fires as the two most common reasons for escaped fires To help keep the public informed about the risks of outdoor burning the agency maintains information on its website about wildfire risk and about county burn bans The Texas Forest Service also actively encourages public compliance with burn bans The Outdoor Burning Ban legislation is specific on how local

Texas A&M Forest Service local response and mutual aid Texas A M Forest Service responds when fires or conditions begin to exceed local control Rapid Mobilization and Response The rapid initial response to wildland fires is essential to provide safety to emergency responders and citizens By suppressing fires earlier and smaller you limit losses and reduce the occurrence of large project fires that burn for multiple days and tie up resources Not only are project fires large damaging and costly but they tie up resources needed to respond to new fire starts beginning a downward spiral in response capabilities One of the challenges for a state the size of Texas is to provide the resources needed while still operating in a cost effective and efficient manner Texas A M Forest Service uses the incident command system to coordinate the efforts of all cooperators to maximize effectiveness and minimize losses A safe but aggressive initial attack is emphasized based on predicted and observed fire behavior and weather Response objectives incorporate a number of measures to prevent project fires large fires or areas of numerous fire ignitions that burn for multiple days and tie up resources and maintain a flexible response structure capable of moving large